What To Expect From Microsoft In 2017

What To Expect From Microsoft In 2017

February 3rd, 2017

The calendar has changed over, the clocks have reset, and we can now officially say we’ve escaped from 2016’s clutches intact. This year is already looking a lot more promising. As usual, there are ton of updates coming out of Microsoft headquarters in 2017. There’s a lot on the docket for the Xbox One, and we hope to expose a few of the hardware and games set for release this year.

Hardware

First hinted at the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) back in 2016, Scorpio has finally been given a holiday 2017 release date. It’s set to have an8-core CPU, a graphics card with 6 teraflops, and 4K gaming. But what’s more interesting is its plan to be both backwards and forwards compatible. All of your old games will work on the Scorpio, so you won’t have to start your game library from scratch. It also means all of the new games released will work on the S and Xbox One.

The Xbox Design Label continues to pump out personalized controllers, but many gamers find its price hard to stomach. Starting at $100, it can be a lot to lay down for a controller. For those who want as much customization without the financial commitment, check out Xbox One controller skins from manufacturers like dbrand. An Xbox One controller skin comes in a variety of colors and textures you can match with larger decals that cover the entire system, including the Kinect Box. Xbox One skins from dbrand can make your system look like a stone monolith or Zen bamboo accessory. There are no rules.

Games

Unlike hardware, there are a ton of games set for a 2017 release. Perhaps the most highly anticipated title is Resident Evil 7: Biohazard. It’s a slightly different take on the franchise that limits the amount of fighting (developers say it won’t be the typical “gun fest”) in deference for problem solving and resource management. Set nearly 5 years after the 6th installment, you play Ethan, a civilian, who goes out searching for his missing wife in Louisiana. We can still expect huge scares to come out of Biohazard, and we’re willing to bet most of us won’t play it with the lights off.

Halo Wars 2 is another exciting game slated for an early 2017 release. It joins the Halo series as a real-time strategy game with the same crew of the first installment’s Spirit of Fire. As one of the crew, you wake up from cryosleep to take up arms against a nearby alien faction. Unbeknownst to the crew, the war with the military alien race ended during their 30 years of cryosleep. You can see where this is going. Accidentally causing a pan-galatic crisis, the crew of the Spirt of Fire have to shoot their way out.

Don’t worry if the scare tactics of Resident Evil don’t float your boat, or the war strategy of Halo Wars sounds boring. There are a lot more games coming to Xbox One this year. There’s something for everyone, including a custom-made Xbox One controller skin.